We are still in the development stage, there are a lot of unanswered questions. Actually, the whole project has been put on hold because lack of time. I am getting ready to start pursuing it again. We have not transported them long distances so I do not have an exact answer for you. I do not think any meshing would be necessary for transporting. The mix is filled with a significant amount of strengthening fibers. We are able to break pieces in half with a hammer and still have the fibers hold the two pieces together. Initial testing has showed the mix to dry at 7,500-8,000 PSI. They are 3cm and although we have not played with 2cm I do not think that will be a problem. They weigh 17 ½ - 18 ½ pounds per square foot depending on what is mixed in with them. No rods needed around sink holes. Look at this picture. On the thin side it is only 3� wide.
I guess I am ignorant to exactly what blanks are. We will manufacturer the piece approximately 2’ wide and any length you want and polish one side. You put what ever edge the customer wants and make any cuts necessary. At the point we have full size slabs you handle them and work them just like a slab of granite. Seems disappearing? Don’t know. What is being produced is less than perfect and being done in hand made custom molds made of melamine board. Actually, a lot of it is very crude. People interested in concrete understand they are not going to get perfection like granite. That is part of the appeal. ALTHOUGH, this is where I am going against the general thinking with the product we want to produce. I will get to that latter. Below is a link to pictures on Concrete Network. These tops are very well done and are being produced by the best in the industry but most of what is being produced is crap.
http://www.concretenetwork.com/photo...ountertops.htm
Look at the edges, they are all square. You can offer them multiple edge styles. Go to Google and type in “concrete countertops� and search for images.
You have to understand the concrete countertop market. I have posted some reasons why they are getting popular but go to the link below and read more.
http://www.concretenetwork.com/concr...ountertops.htm
Go hear for FAQ.
http://www.concretenetwork.com/concr...ops/index.html
Some of the information I don’t agree with. They are only considering/talking about a specific type of customer and everyone makes there tops different so you can’t make some of the blanket statements they are making.
Let me ask you, “What would a salesman tell his customers to get them to buy granite?�
You don’t try to “sell� a customer concrete countertops. You “offer� concrete as an option and you will have customers that will “only want� concrete and nothing else. For customers who are interested in concrete sell them on what you have to offer.
This is what we/you have to offer and how we are going against the general thinking/trend. The awareness of concrete is growing and it will get more popular. Actually, it is going to get bigger than you would have ever imagined. There will be a market for those who are looking for custom tops with intergraded custom drain boards, sinks, etc. This market will want that rough semi finished look. There will also be a market who want concrete because it will become a trend just as stone has. Yes, stone is also a trend and a fad. Especially, since pricing has come down from what it once was. Architects, designers and kitchen and bath retailers drive the market. They are the one who steer the general public’s perception on what they should have in their kitchens and baths. Stone did not get popular without the help of these people. As the awareness of concrete gets more popular more and more will inquire about it. There will be a percentage of people who want concrete but will not want the rough semi finished look. They will want refinement and the refinement of the material is what you have to offer. You will be able to offer a refined polish (I like to polish the top, who would have ever thought concrete could be polished to a glass like shine with clarity? That’s pretty cool and different! Most of these tops do not get polished because they do not understand how to do it.), beautifully cut, shaped and polished edges, and a product that is different from any other concrete countertop available.
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